Thoughts on MLK Day

[OleJ]

I was thinking the other day, instead of having a day off from school and work, don't you think Dr. King would prefer that we were at our jobs making money to support ourselves and families, and being in school getting a good education so that we may better ourselves, and use our educations to boost the black community to new heights?
"Imjusssayin'"...

[CJKeyboardPlaya]

A good point but.... not a good point....




my2cents...

[chevonee]

I was thinking the other day, instead of having a day off from school and work, don't you think Dr. King would prefer that we were at our jobs making money to support ourselves and families, and being in school getting a good education so that we may better ourselves, and use our educations to boost the black community to new heights?
"Imjusssayin'"...

Very interesting question but I gotta agree with CJK....NO WECKIN ON MLK DAY!!

[LaylaMonroe]

That's an interesting idea; I never thought of it that way.

It's hard to say what Dr. King would've wanted, but since it is customary for schools and corporations to be closed on national holidays, I think that he should be honored in that way as well.  At the same time, I regret that most Americans just see this as another day to stay home instead of seeing it as a day of service.  What's worse, I hate that parents aren't setting the example for their children, by showing them how they SHOULD honor the work and life of Dr. King.

There are so many opportunities to give back to the community on MLK Day and other holidays of honor like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.  I'm so disturbed that most of us, and our children, just see these holidays as days to "cook out" and play volleyball and drink and stuff.

Parents, this year, pledge to learn more about the purpose of these days, and figure out how you and your family can honor the days, and DO IT!

[changedman]

That's an interesting idea; I never thought of it that way.

It's hard to say what Dr. King would've wanted, but since it is customary for schools and corporations to be closed on national holidays, I think that he should be honored in that way as well.  At the same time, I regret that most Americans just see this as another day to stay home instead of seeing it as a day of service.  What's worse, I hate that parents aren't setting the example for their children, by showing them how they SHOULD honor the work and life of Dr. King.

There are so many opportunities to give back to the community on MLK Day and other holidays of honor like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.  I'm so disturbed that most of us, and our children, just see these holidays as days to "cook out" and play volleyball and drink and stuff.

Parents, this year, pledge to learn more about the purpose of these days, and figure out how you and your family can honor the days, and DO IT!

They're having a musical celebration entitled "Wake Up Everybody" at the Civil Rights Museum.  Some of us are going. 

I am REALLY, REALLY, REALLY praying that some gospel choir from somewhere will break out with Paul Morton's version of "We Shall Overcome"!  I wanna go in!  When I was Choir Director of the Year, I would DELIBERAELY pull that one out the week of his birthday and at least two Sundays during Black History Month.

Don't get me wrong, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" is all right....but it's something about THAT version of "We Shall Overcome" that makes me think we really will!!!

[jlc4703]

In our little town, there is a parade this afternoon, speeches being made tomorrow, and a meeting in the local Convention Center Monday.  But the thing that really made the difference to me was last Saturday.

Nine of the local musical groups from different churches (both black and white) met at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall at the request of the M. L. K. Committee for praise to God.  Our church sent most of our choir and musicians.

A gentleman spoke an address commemorating Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech, and pointed out that the very makeup of the audience (about half and half black and white) was a proof that the Dream still exists and is being made manifest.

I'm old enough personally to have lived through those times, also in this small NC community - and to know that the most special thing about Dr. King was the foundation of faith in Jesus - and the spirit of working within the framework of how things should be done within the Kingdom, abolishing hatred on all sides, to be replaced with mutual respect and love.

Jim

[pastor rob]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o0FiCxZKuv8

i hope i did this right. the day before he was killed. lest we forget..

[Craig G]

^ A speech that gives me chills EVERY TIME I hear it.

EVERY TIME.

[under13]

Maybe I'll pull out the I "have A dream" speach vinyl record

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o0FiCxZKuv8

i hope i did this right. the day before he was killed. lest we forget..

^ A speech that gives me chills EVERY TIME I hear it.

EVERY TIME.

COGIC folks like to point out that his last speach was at Mason Temple COGIC in Memphis

[Craig G]

under,

I was gon' post that, but I didn't think it was that relevant to the thread.   

[OleJ]

I don't know what a dead man thinks, but I would suspect after seeing some of his past interviews and stories written on him by friends and family, if he were asked before he died if he would want to be honored with a holiday, I'd think he'd say no. He'd probably say the best way to honor him is to keep the fight up, fight for rights for the oppressed, help the poor and disadvantaged, and protest UNJUST WARS. I know, it's been near 40 years since his death, and we have made much progress, but we still have so far to go. Here in Houston, we have two MLK parades because people within a group got mad at each other, split up and now do their own parades. Where's the unity ya'll?

[Lildrummaboy66]

In our community, we have a walk and a church service follows that walk. There are companies in our community who do not recognize this day, which, the company I work for doesn't, so I have not been able to participate.

[uriahsmusic]

not all...the point of a holiday becoming national is to suggest that you existence was so important that we should shut down in your honor!...

[LisaE]

I had an interesting Sunday as related to MLK day. At my new church (that I have been attending for almost 7 months) they have been partnering with the one of the largest, predominately White churches here in the Northwestern suburbs of Illinois, as part of racial reconsilation

It started with the senior Pastors - Rev. James Meeks, of Salem Baptist (the predominately African American church in the Chicago area) and Pastor Bill Hybels of Willow Creek (the predominately White church in the South Barrington, one of the Northwestern suburbs) fellowshipping and forming a friendship with each other.

Today, in honor of MLK day, Rev. Meeks spoke at the Willow Creek church, and, at our 12noon service here at Salem, Pastor Hybels spoke to the Salem congregation. The point was made from both men is that we, as Christians, should be the first ones to outreach to each other, across races.

[Furious Styles]

Martin's words live on but the sad part is that we reduced this day to living out the creed of his dream with one day fellowships. I applaud the common everyday people who strive to live their lives free of predjuidice, hate, immorality, deceit and lies. I'm so thankful to be reaping the benefits of the movement that cost so many lives. Let us take the essence of this day for what it is. It is a day that should be recognized in our actions the other 364 days of the year. Happy King Day. THANK GOD for sending a Martin Luther King to the moral thermostat to sick and dying country.